Napping and Brain Training: New Strategies to Reduce Dementia Risk

Stop googling, start napping to reduce dementia risk - Earth.com

There's a powerful tool to combat age-related dementia; it's as simple as putting down your Google-enabled device and taking a nap. This surprising wisdom is delivered by esteemed Canadian academic, Professor Mohamed I. Elmasry, in his groundbreaking book, "iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence." The professor argues that we've become so smitten with artificial intelligence (AI) that we've neglected to nurture our organic (real) intelligence (RI). However, the brain, like our handheld devices, contains hardware, software, and apps of its own. With proper care, exercise, and mental stimulation, the brain can prove more powerful and enduring than any AI-powered gadget. By focusing on maintaining our cognitive health through activities such as brain games, mindfulness, and rest, we can enhance the capabilities and longevity of our minds, ensuring that our natural intelligence remains sharp and resilient throughout our lives. Professor Elmasry, a renowned figure in the realms of microchip design and AI, has lost loved ones to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. These personal tragedies ignited his passion to explore the marvels and potential of the human mind. Dismissing the notion that smart devices are becoming increasingly smarter, he contends that they pale in comparison with our brains. The human brain, Elmasry asserts, has an unparalleled capacity for storage, longevity, energy efficiency, and self-healing. It outperforms any smartphone, which typically has a lifespan of about 10 years, while a well-kept brain may function optimally for more than a century. "Your brain-mind is the highest-value asset you have, or will ever have. Increase its potential and longevity by caring for it early in life, keeping it and your body healthy so it can continue to develop," writes Elmasry. To this end, he advocates for daily brain workouts, such as "brain games," for keeping our minds sharp. Professor Elmasry shares how reliance on AI smartphone apps has replaced the use of real intelligence among younger generations. In a telling example, he recounts an episode where his grandchildren, after spending a week in Cuba, couldn't recall the capital of the country without resorting to a search engine. "A healthy memory goes hand-in-hand with real intelligence. Our memory simply can't reach its full potential without RI," says Elmasry. His book, published by Routledge, delves into the evolution of microchip design, machine learning, and AI. He also compares the functionality of the human mind and brain with AI-based systems like smartphones and ChatGPT. Through "iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence," Elmasry aspires to bridge the understanding gap between real and artificial intelligence, while also addressing ongoing debates and controversies surrounding AI. He delves into the nuances of how AI can complement rather than replace our natural cognitive abilities, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to technology. Moreover, he hopes to inspire researchers to discover new treatments for degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and cancer. By highlighting the untapped potential of our brains, Elmasry aims to shift focus towards nurturing our mental faculties alongside advancing AI technologies. By promoting a deeper understanding of how our brains function compared to AI systems, Elmasry aims to encourage innovations that leverage the strengths of both real and artificial intelligence, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in medical research and therapeutic approaches for these debilitating diseases. This comprehensive perspective not only seeks to advance scientific knowledge but also to foster a holistic approach to cognitive health and technological development. Elmasry asserts that healthy aging deserves as much attention as climate change, even though it doesn't receive as much publicity. He proposes a series of reforms to promote active aging, such as transforming bingo halls into vibrant learning centers. The professor also offers practical advice to strengthen our Real Intelligence. Napping, for instance, can refresh our memory and other brain functions. Research on the relationship between napping and dementia prevention is ongoing. Some studies suggest that short naps can be beneficial for brain health by improving cognitive function, mood, and memory. Professor Elmasry recommends building an "associative" memory by attaching new information to what we already know. His other techniques include integrating a day of complete rest into the week, evaluating lifestyle habits from as early as your 20s or 30s, adhering to a healthy diet, and moderating or avoiding alcohol to lower dementia risk. By cultivating these habits and fostering mindfulness, we can ensure that our "brain apps" continue to run smoothly, enriching our lives and empowering us into an age of real intelligence. -- - Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.

Daily Naps and Brain Training Reduce Dementia Risk - Neuroscience News

Summary: Exercising our brains with daily habits like naps and memory workouts, instead of relying on smartphones, can reduce the risk of age-related dementia. A new study highlights the superiority of human intelligence over AI. The study emphasizes nurturing our brain's potential for healthy aging. It also offers practical tips for boosting brain power and maintaining real intelligence. People can reduce their risk of age-related dementia by exercising their brains properly instead of Googling, according to a leading Canadian academic. Professor Mohamed I. Elmasry says simple daily habits such as afternoon naps, memory 'workouts' and not reaching for a smartphone can increase the odds of healthy aging. His new book, iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence (with foreword by Canadian cell biologist Dr. Aileen Burford-Mason), says the focus has shifted too far away from RI (natural, or real) intelligence in favor of AI (machine, or artificial) intelligence. Elmasry instead calls us to nurture our human mind which, like smartphones, has 'hardware', 'software' and 'apps' but is many times more powerful - and will last much longer with the right care. Professor Elmasry, an internationally recognized expert in microchip design and AI, was inspired to write the book after the death of his brother-in-law from Alzheimer's and others very close to him, including his mother, from other forms of dementia. Although he says that smart devices are 'getting smarter all the time', he argues in iMind that none comes close to 'duplicating the capacity, storage, longevity, energy efficiency, or self-healing capabilities of the original human brain-mind'. He writes that: "The useful life expectancy for current smartphones is around 10 years, while a healthy brain-mind inside a healthy human body can live for 100 years or longer. "Your brain-mind is the highest-value asset you have, or will ever have. Increase its potential and longevity by caring for it early in life, keeping it and your body healthy so it can continue to develop. "Humans can intentionally develop and test their memories by playing 'brain games,' or performing daily brain exercises. You can't exercise your smartphone's memory to make it last longer or encourage it to perform at a higher level." In iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence Professor Elmasry shares an anecdote about his grandchildren having to use the search engine on their smartphones to name Cuba's capital -- they had just spent a week in the country with their parents. The story illustrates how young people have come to rely on AI smartphone apps instead of using their real intelligence (RI), he says, adding: "A healthy memory goes hand-in-hand with real intelligence. Our memory simply can't reach its full potential without RI." Published by Routledge, iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence includes extensive background on the history of microchip design, machine learning and AI and their role in smartphones and other technology. The book also explains how both AI and human intelligence really work, and how brain function links the mind and memory. It compares the human mind and brain function with that of smartphones, ChatGPT and other AI-based systems. Drawing on comprehensive existing research, iMind aims to narrow the knowledge gap between real and artificial intelligence, to address the current controversy around AI, and to inspire researchers to find new treatments for Alzheimer's, other neurodegenerative conditions and cancer. It argues that current or even planned AI cannot match the capabilities of the human brain-mind for speed, accuracy, storage capacity and other functions. Healthy aging, Professor Elmasry notes, is as important as climate change but doesn't attract a fraction of the publicity. He calls for policymakers to adopt a series of key reforms to promote healthy aging. Among such changes, he suggests that bingo halls could transition from their sedentary entertainment function to become active and stimulating learning centers. As well as napping to refresh our memories and other brain and body functions, he also outlines a series of practical tips to boost brain power and enhance our RI (Real Intelligence). These include building up 'associative' memory - the brain's 'dictionary of meaning' where it attaches new information to what it already knows. Try reading a book aloud, using all of your senses instead of going on autopilot and turning daily encounters into fully-lived experiences. Other techniques include integrating a day for true rest into the week, reviewing your lifestyle as early as your 20s or 30s, adopting a healthy diet, and eliminating or radically moderating alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of dementia. Author: Becky Parker-Ellis Source: Taylor and Francis Group Contact: Becky Parker-Ellis - Taylor and Francis Group Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News Original Research: "iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence 1st Edition" by Mohamed I. Elmasry is available for purchase online.

Reducing dementia risk may be as simple as putting down the phone and taking a nap

BOSTON - Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Try turning off your devices and taking a nap. In a new book, a Canadian expert on artificial intelligence says that to nurture our minds and reduce the risk of dementia, we should focus on real intelligence rather than artificial intelligence. In other words, we should put down our smartphones and instead take an afternoon nap to refresh our memories and rejuvenate our bodies. Instead of relying on Google for quick answers, we should be playing "brain games," doing memory exercises, and engaging in activities that use all of our senses. He says artificial intelligence can't hold a candle to the human brain in terms of capacity, storage, longevity, and efficiency, but we need to nurture our greatest asset through healthy lifestyle choices and daily brain stimulation.

Empowering human intelligence: Strategies for healthy aging and memory

Taylor & Francis GroupJul 22 2024 People can reduce their risk of age-related dementia by exercising their brains properly instead of Googling, according to a leading Canadian academic. Professor Mohamed I. Elmasry says simple daily habits such as afternoon naps, memory 'workouts' and not reaching for a smartphone can increase the odds of healthy aging. His new book, iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence (with foreword by Canadian cell biologist Dr. Aileen Burford-Mason), says the focus has shifted too far away from RI (natural, or real) intelligence in favor of AI (machine, or artificial) intelligence. Elmasry instead calls us to nurture our human mind which, like smartphones, has 'hardware', 'software' and 'apps' but is many times more powerful - and will last much longer with the right care. Professor Elmasry, an internationally recognized expert in microchip design and AI, was inspired to write the book after the death of his brother-in-law from Alzheimer's and others very close to him, including his mother, from other forms of dementia. Although he says that smart devices are 'getting smarter all the time', he argues in iMind that none comes close to 'duplicating the capacity, storage, longevity, energy efficiency, or self-healing capabilities of the original human brain-mind'. He writes that: "The useful life expectancy for current smartphones is around 10 years, while a healthy brain-mind inside a healthy human body can live for 100 years or longer. "Your brain-mind is the highest-value asset you have, or will ever have. Increase its potential and longevity by caring for it early in life, keeping it and your body healthy so it can continue to develop. "Humans can intentionally develop and test their memories by playing 'brain games,' or performing daily brain exercises. You can't exercise your smartphone's memory to make it last longer or encourage it to perform at a higher level." In iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence Professor Elmasry shares an anecdote about his grandchildren having to use the search engine on their smartphones to name Cuba's capital-;they had just spent a week in the country with their parents. The story illustrates how young people have come to rely on AI smartphone apps instead of using their real intelligence (RI), he says, adding: "A healthy memory goes hand-in-hand with real intelligence. Our memory simply can't reach its full potential without RI." Published by Routledge, iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence includes extensive background on the history of microchip design, machine learning and AI and their role in smartphones and other technology. The book also explains how both AI and human intelligence really work, and how brain function links the mind and memory. It compares the human mind and brain function with that of smartphones, ChatGPT and other AI-based systems. Drawing on comprehensive existing research, iMind aims to narrow the knowledge gap between real and artificial intelligence, to address the current controversy around AI, and to inspire researchers to find new treatments for Alzheimer's, other neurodegenerative conditions and cancer. It argues that current or even planned AI cannot match the capabilities of the human brain-mind for speed, accuracy, storage capacity and other functions. Healthy aging, Professor Elmasry notes, is as important as climate change but doesn't attract a fraction of the publicity. He calls for policymakers to adopt a series of key reforms to promote healthy aging. Among such changes, he suggests that bingo halls could transition from their sedentary entertainment function to become active and stimulating learning centers. As well as napping to refresh our memories and other brain and body functions, he also outlines a series of practical tips to boost brain power and enhance our RI (Real Intelligence). These include building up 'associative' memory - the brain's 'dictionary of meaning' where it attaches new information to what it already knows. Try reading a book aloud, using all of your senses instead of going on autopilot and turning daily encounters into fully-lived experiences. Other techniques include integrating a day for true rest into the week, reviewing your lifestyle as early as your 20s or 30s, adopting a healthy diet, and eliminating or radically moderating alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of dementia. Taylor & Francis Group Journal reference: Elmasry, M.I. (2024) iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence (1st ed.). CRC Press. doi.org/10.1201/9781003486848.

Lesser smartphone use and more brain exercises may help reduce dementia

People can reduce their risk of age-related dementia by exercising their brains through simple daily habits instead of just relying on smartphones and Googling People can reduce their risk of age-related dementia by exercising their brains through simple daily habits instead of just relying on smartphones and Googling, according to a report on Monday. Professor Mohamed I. Elmasry, a professor at the University of Waterloo, in his new book titled iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence, emphasises nurturing real intelligence over artificial intelligence (AI), saying that the focus has shifted from the former to the latter and it can have far-reaching, debilitating consequences. ADVERTISEMENT He says in iMind that "none comes close to duplicating the capacity, storage, longevity, energy efficiency, or self-healing capabilities of the original human brain-mind. The useful life expectancy for current smartphones is around 10 years, while a healthy brain-mind inside a healthy human body can live for 100 years or longer". Smart devices, while increasingly advanced, cannot duplicate the human brain's storage, longevity, or self-healing abilities. The book is inspired by his personal losses to dementia. He contrasts the brain's long-lasting power with the limited lifespan of smartphones, noting that a healthy brain can last over 100 years if nurtured. Daily brain exercises like memory workouts, developing an associative memory, moderating alcohol, using rest days and regular naps help enhance brain health. Elmasry feels healthy aging is a critical but underpublicised issue compared to climate change. Also Read: Cold facts about skin icing: Just a fad or here to stay? This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever